In Honor of Veterans Day: FREE WEDDING GOWNS

You might be wondering what wedding dresses have to do with our veterans. Well, I just caught this on The View. They did an entire episode on how to get things for free. It was great info... I suggest you watch, if you get a chance.

So one of the things I found out is, of you are a bride-to-be in the military, or you are engaged to someone in the military, you can get a FREE WEDDING DRESS over the next couple of days. It's called the Nationwide Military 2010 Wedding Gown Giveaway. Bridal salons are uniting across America to donate and giving away wedding gowns to qualified military brides. Most of the gowns are samples and overstocks and are worth approximately $500 to $3000. Dresses range in sizes from 4-22 and will be given away on a first-come, first serve basis as long as you qualify. Go to Brides Across America to look up a store near you. Unfortunately, for my Fresno readers, all the participating stores in California are down south. But I would say, it's worth the drive!

DEALS AND STEALS: Disney Store Friends and Family

Just got a heads up on this great friends and family discount for the Disney Store. How could I keep this to myself?

Do you believe in magic? TVNewsMom does. Stepping inside any Disney store during the holidays can be magical... especially if you walk out without triggering an "I WANT THIS MOMMY!!!" tantrum.

Now you can afford to buy what your little one wants. From November 11 - 15, print out this coupon and redeem it for a 20% discount at any Disney Store in North America or enter the code DISNEYFAMILY online at DisneyStore.com .

DEALS AND STEALS: Free coffee and Gap's "Give and Get"!

Every Friday this month, get your caffeine fix for free at Burger King. The chain is trying to eat away at McDonald's breakfast business and you benefit. Every Friday in November during breakfast hours, BK will give away free 12-ounce cups of Seattle's Best Coffee. Customers don't have to buy anything. The chain will also give away coupons for free iced Seattle's Best Coffee for a future visit.

Gap is holding a "Give & Get" event. Basically, for 4 days only, November 11–14, you can shop at Gap, Old Navy, or Banana Republic and get 30% off using this coupon in stores. And in return, the Leukemia Lymphoma society or... you can designate a charity of your choice will get 5% of your purchase. If you're shopping online, here's a promo code: L9GK6YHQPL6W and shipping is free with a purchase over $50.

NEWS YOU CAN USE: Don't Try the Gouda...

Who doesn't love Costco? Who doesn't love the samples at Costco? In a pinch, TVNewsMom has been known to feed the kiddos their entire lunch on samples alone. A fruit drink sample here, a paper cup of mac 'n' cheese there. Luckily we skipped the gouda!

Gouda cheese given as samples and sold at Costco stores in five different states, including California, is being recalled after an E. coli outbreak sickened 25 people. The cheese was made by Bravo Farms... located right here in the lovely Central Valley town of Traver.

Health officials believe the people got sick after eating Bravo Farms Dutch Sytle Raw Milk Gouda Cheese (item #40654) sold and offered at in-store tastings between Oct. 5 and Nov. 1.
Symptoms of E. coli infection include bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, dehydration and in severe cases, kidney failure and death!!! The cheese was sold at Costco stores in California, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Nevada.

Costco is offering refunds to customers.

DEALS AND STEALS: Nordstrom Half-Yearly Sale for Women and Kids

It's that time of year again! Nordstrom is having its half-yearly sale for women and kids. Honestly, I don't shop Nordies often... but sometimes the deals are too good to resist. Last year, I got both my kids crocs for an amazing price ($16.90, normally $29.95) plus free shipping. For the half-yearly sale, there's FREE SHIPPING on online orders of $100 or more. Use promo code HOLIDAY10 when you check out.

For the sole purpose of research (ha!) I've been perusing the site, and women's shoes are 20% to 40% off, even UGGs which never go on sale! Check out the kids clothes -- brands like Juicy Couture and Mini Boden are on sale 33% off.

One more note: one of my friends commented that comparing in-store and online prices, she found that online was usually cheaper.

Happy Shopping!

Not-So-Happy Meals?

First Santa Clara... now San Francisco. Officials -- citing concerns over childhood obesity -- have banned restaurants from giving away toys with their kids' meals. But what's a happy meal without the happy?

A McDonald's spokesperson said, "We are extremely disappointed with this decision. It's not what our customers want, nor is it something they asked for."


TV News Mom could not agree more. It is a parent's right and responsibility to decide whether or not to purchase a fast food meal. I don't know a single mom or dad who "unknowingly" bought these meals, thinking they were healthy. At least at our home, they are an extremely rare "treat" and the toy is part of the fun.

Under the ruling, scheduled to take effect in December 2011, San Francisco restaurants will be allowed to include a toy with a meal only if the food and drink in the meal contain fewer than 600 calories, less than 640 milligrams of sodium and if less than 35 per cent of the calories are derived from fat (less than 10 per cent from saturated fat), except for fat contained in nuts, seeds, eggs or low-fat cheese. In addition, the meals must contain a half-cup or more of fruit and three-quarters of a cup or more of vegetables. A breakfast meal must contain at least a half-cup of fruit or vegetables. SF Superviors argue this will promote healthier eating habits.

Seriously? Taking away a toy is your answer to childhood obesity? What say you, readers?

Halloween's Over, Now What?

I just spent 15 minutes sorting through my two kids' Halloween buckets, picking out the "good" candy, like Twix (my fave!), Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, and Butterfingers. But then I ended up with three pounds of the "undesirable" candy... or, like I like to call pinata filler. (Smarties, Jawbreakers, and Tootsie Rolls).

Then I stumbled upon this article in the Fresno Bee about some dentists who will pay cash for candy ($1 per pound). The dentists then donate it to Operation Gratitude, a national nonprofit organization that sends the candy and care packages to U.S. soldiers overseas.

Here are some participating dentists in the Fresno area:

Dr. Treva Lee's office at 2630 N. Fresno St., will collect candy between 4 and 6 p.m. today.

Dr. Tamer Michiel's office at 3796 N. Fresno St., will also collect candy between 4 and 6 p.m. today.

Dr. Michael T. Bodensteiner 4148 S. Demaree St. in Visalia will buy candy between 3 and 5 p.m. today through the next few days.

This is a win-win situation. Less cavities for the kids, and you get to help out a smile-worthy cause. Now how to convince the kiddos to part with a bucket full of candy. I think it's time to instill the fear of the dentist drill. LOL